The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-02
GOVERNMENT TERRORISM IN RUSSIA

should be and arc fully appreciated.
GOVERNMENT TERRORISM IN RUSSIA
The following is from George Remnants ac-
count of "Prison Life of the Russian Reyolu-
tionists," in the December Century: when
Gen. Strclnikoif was intrusted by the Tsar
with almost dictatorial power, in order that
he mi light exlirpate sedition in the provinces
OF southern Russia, he arrested and threw
into prison, In the single city of Odessa, no
less than llS persons in three days. He then
went to Kiev and arrested eighty-nne per
sons almost simultaneously, and ordered the
Imprisonment OF hundreds of others in
kharkoT. Nikolaief, Pultava, Kursk, and
other south Russian cities. Most OF these
arrests were made entirely without what is
known as probable cause" and for the sole
purpose OF obtaining cicws 10 plots which
the police believed to exist, but which they
had not been able 10 discover. Many OF 'he
persons arrested were mere children-imma-
turc school-boys and girls, from fifteen to
seventeen years Of age-who could not pos
sibly be regarded as dangerous conspirators,
but who might, IL was thought be terrified
into n confession Of all they knew with re-
gard TO the movements, conversations and
occupations OF their Older relatives and
friends. Gen. Strelnikof's plan was 10 ar
rest simultaneously largo number OF per-
sons belonging TO the Enthusiastically"
class; throw them into prison; keep
them for ten days or two weeks in the strict
est solitary confinement, and then subject
them 20 a terrifying inquisitorial eKamina-
ton with the hope OF eNtorting scraps OF in
formation, here a little and there a little,
which might be picced together, like the
parts OF dissected map, 40 rs TO reveal the
outlines Of revolutionary plot. II, for ex-
ample, n girl belonged TO an "untrust-
worthy" family, and suspicious" letter
10 her had been intercepted by the authori-
ties; or IL she had been seen coming out OF a
suspicious house ut late hour In the
evening, she was arrested in one OF these po-
lice raids. generally at night; conveyed In a
closed carriage 10 the Odessa prison; put into
a small solitary confinement cell and left TO
her own agoniEng thoughts. No cxplana-
ton was given her Of this summary proceed
ings, and II she appealed TO the sentinel on
duty in the corridor, the only reply she OBJ
tanned was "Prikazano nc gayarit talking
Is forbidden" The effect produced upon a
young. inexperienced, impossible girl by
the overwhelming shock Of such transition
from the rcposc quiet, and society OF her
own bedroom, In her own home, 10 a mar
row, gloomy cell In q common Criminal pris-
on nj night, can readily be imagined. Even
II she were q girl Of coumgc and firm
ness OF character, her selfcontrol
might give way under the strain
81 such an ordeal. The sounds which
break the stiffness OF a Russian criminal pris-
on at night-thc stcalthy tread of the guard,
the family heard struggles OF drunken and
disorderly casual" who Is being strapped 20
his bed in another part Of the prison, cries
which suggest 10 AN inexperienced girl some
terrible scene OF violence and outragc: tho
occasional olAng Of heavy door; the moan
ing and hysterical weeping OF other recently
arrested prisoners In cells on the same CORR
dor. and the sudden and noiseless appearance
now and then Of an unknown human face at
the little square portfolio In the cell door
though which the prisoners are waiched-all
combine TO make the FIST night OF n young
girl In prison an experience never 90 be for
gotten while she lives. This experience,
however, u only the beginning Of the trial
which her courage and self-control are dos.
tined TO undergo. One day passcs-two days
three days-ten days-without bringing
any news from the outside world, or any ia
formation concerning the nature Of the
charges made ngainst her Twice every
twcnty-four houn food Is handed 30 her
through the square portfolio by the tact
turn guard, hut nothing else breaks the
monoiOny aud the solitude OF her life She
has no books, no writing materials. no means
| whatever ~ diverting her thoughts or rcliey.
ing the mental strain which soon becomes
almost uncomfortable. Tortured by apprc.
hcnsion aud by uncertainty as 10 her own
fate, and the fate oi those dear 20 her she
can only pace her cell from corner 20 corner
until she Is exhausted. aud then throw her.
self on the narrow prison bed, and In SLEEP
/ try To lose consciousness 81 her misery. AZ
last, two weeks perhaps after her arrest
/ when hcrspirit n suppposod 10 be sufficiently
/ broken by solitary confinement aud grief
she Il summoned 10 the doPros, prclimi'
nary examination. without witnesses oI
counsel. conducted by Gen. Strolnikon In
person. lie begins by saying 10 her that shs
| IA charged with very serious crimes under
such and such sections Of the penal code
and that she stands In danger o. exile %
siberia for a long term Of years. In view,
however. Of her youth and inerpcrienoc,
and OF the probability that she had been
misled by criminal associates, he feels Au.
thorized 20 say 10 her that II she will show
repentance aud q sincere desire 10 reform, In
making ''crlstoserdcchni'--'cle an-hcartcd
confcssion'-and will answer lruthfully all
| questions put 10 her, she will be immedi
ntely released II. on the contrary, she
manifess an obdumte disposition, aud thus
proves herself to be unworthy Of clomenoy,
| u will become bis duty, n prosecuting OIL
Ger Of the crown, W treat her with all the
rigur 81 the law
The poor girl Is we'll aware that the refer
| cncc 20 siberian exile IL not an empty threat
Belonging, As she does, 20 an "untrustwor
thy" family, she has often heard discussed
tho case Of Marie Priscdski. who was eIilcd
before she was sixteen yean Of age because
she would not nctrny her older sister, and the
case Of the idiohoylioh Children, one seven,
teen and the other fourteen year, Of age who
were arrested In kicv and sent 10 Siberia In
1879 for no particular reason except that
their two older brothers were reyoutionist,
aud had been shot dead while resisting ar
rest. 10 II not a matter for surprise N q
young girl who has thus been torn from hci
home, who Is depressed and hishcaftcncd by
solitary confinement, who IA without coun
sci, without knowledge OF the law, without
the support Of single friend In this suprcm,
| crisis Of her life, breaks down at last under
the strain Of deadly fear, and tells the inquls
itor all she knows. She II at once released
but only 20 suffer agonics Of selfrcproacl
and rcmorsc as she secs her relatives and
dearest friends arrested, imprisoned, aud ex
| lied to Siberia, upon information aud clew,
which she herself has furnished. II FIRE
queniiy happens, however, that girl re-
mains stcndfat aud refuses 10 answer cues
tions even after months Of solitary contne
ment. The authorities then resort 10 othel
| and even morn discrcditablo mcthods